It is that time of year again, SGA election time! Here are some tips on how to run for the Student Government Association.

SGA is split up into two categories: Executive Board and Class Boards. Executive Board is made up of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. On Friday of last week, Mr. Suarez announced the winners of those elections:

• Ignacio Gamero (President),
• Sophie Fakhouri (Vice President),
• Alyssa Vega (Secretary),
• and Eduardo Rodriguez (Treasurer). 

“All of ILS looks forward to working with them next school year,” said Mr. Suarez, one of the SGA moderators. “Thank you to everyone who voted, and most of all, to all those who ran.”

Now, this week is the Class Board elections. To clear some things up, the Executive Board is for the entire school. It helps run and plan events that benefit the entire school. The Class Boards help each class/grade in specific class-level events. 

Each class elects a President, Vice President, Secretary and four class representatives. 

After joining the folder, make sure to sign and turn in the contract that was sent out with information about running for Class Boards. The deadline was May 14.

Students who signed up to run for the class boards needed to do so last week. The Showbie folder students joined is for turning in your materials for approval. What does this mean? Well, for example, posters, slogans, commercials, etc. need to be approved before you can start campaigning. 

Speaking of campaigning, students are able to start campaigning as early as May 16 but make sure your materials have been approved. 

The following day, 17th, you can record a one-minute video of you introducing yourself to your class. It can be either on your own or it can be aired on LTV. If you want it to be aired on LTV make sure to email Mr. Mendez to set up a time. But manage your time wisely, because they need to be finished before 3:00 pm.

Confused? You will need to turn these videos into showbie before 3 pm because these speeches will be aired on the 19th and they need to be approved first. 

On the 20th elections for President, Vice President, and Secretary will be held between 7:35 and 3:00 pm.

The following day the elections for class representatives will take place during the same times. 

How can you make yourself a better candidate? How can you make yourself more appealing to voters? 

“Be involved,” recommends Mr. Suarez. “That can be clubs, sports, service projects, anything. Just make sure that you can bring your unique perspective to SGA. The true strength of SGA lies in the fact that it brings students together from all kinds of different ILS experiences. The more involved you are, the more you can contribute to that diversity of experience.” 

Mr. Suarez also says that engaging in 1-on-1 campaign can be very beneficial to you. Clearly, it has been hard to do that these past couple of years but this something to think about for the next time you would like to campaigning. 

Sophomore Class President, Karolina Campos advises: “Let yourself be known. Let yourself know to always try, if you make it you make it if you don’t there is always another spot or thing for you. Don’t be so hard on yourself for it, show people what you have to offer.” 

What are some advantages of being a part of SGA? 

Campos also says, “You are a part of a big family and meet more people in and out of your grade, time to plan events for our school and be behind the scenes, looks great for college, brings out your leadership and communication skills, you are involved at school, and so much more.”

Students running for SGA make sure to follow deadlines and make sure to persuade voters with your awesome leadership abilities and as for the voters, VOTE!!!